Cell Biology Laboratory Manual: Form, Function and Diversity Cell Life

Cell biology continues to be a core course in the biological sciences and living cells continue to thrill biologists, anatomists, ecologists, and medical researchers with new discoveries. With that in mind this lab course was developed so that students not only investigate the molecular biology of cells but also observe and study living cells.

The labs are divided up into four areas: 1) observing cells, 2) cell structure and function, 3) molecular biology and 4) intracellular genetics.

In the sections on observing cells and cell structure and function, living and prepared cells are observed including a collection of electron microscopy images of the deep inner cell. Also, in these sections students will prepare their own living pond and observe cell locomotion and behavior in living unicellular cells, multicellular colonial cells and a slime molds. Students will also attempt to fuse artificial membranes with cell protoplasts. This technology is used in cancer treatment and is similar to the vaccine delivery technology of the mRNA vaccines.

In the molecular biology and intracellular genetics labs students will perform hands on experiments to view cell surface receptors and nuclei of mammalian cells and also explore the intricate structure of chromosomes, including those involved in meiotic cell reproduction. Students will also learn some basic aspects of genetic engineering by using restriction enzymes to locate specific genetic control sites on lambda phage DNA.

Methods that students will learn and practice in this course are: live cell culture, cell staining, microscopy, centrifugation, protein and DNA gel electrophoresis, tracking of cell movements, chi square data analysis, cell fusion, liposome construction, dialysis, cell surface labeling, use of restriction enzymes and spectrophotometry.